Cowher: QB job is officially Big Ben'sMaddox will return as a backup
Wednesday, November 03, 2004

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The foregone conclusion became official yesterday when coach Bill Cowher announced that Ben Roethlisberger will remain the Steelers' starting quarterback, no matter how healthy Tommy Maddox is.

Maddox might suit up Sunday for the game against Philadelphia in Heinz Field. Cowher listed him as questionable and said he might serve as the No. 2 or No. 3 quarterback. Maddox has not played since a tendon in his right elbow was torn in the third quarter of the second game of the season, Sept. 19 in Baltimore.

That injury forced Roethlisberger into the lineup and apparently nothing short of injury can get him out of it.

"Tommy threw a significant amount of balls at the end of last week," Cowher said.

He said Maddox would continue practicing and his status would be evaluated toward the end of this week.

Cowher talked to both quarterbacks to explain his decision. "I think they both understand, and we are ready to move on with that being the case."

Maddox became the Steelers' starting quarterback in the fourth game of the 2002 season when he replaced Kordell Stewart.

Brian St. Pierre backed up Roethlisberger since the third game of this season but did not play. The Steelers released St. Pierre before the season and signed him to the practice squad. When he was put back on the 53-man roster, quarterback Mike Quinn was signed to the practice squad.

I hope Maddox realizes how good he's got it in Pittsburgh and tutors Roethlisberger and hangs around in case the Steelers need a veteran to step in in case of injury. He's not starter material at this point(if ever), but he would be a good 2nd stringer to have around. He knows the system and would put the Steelers in real good shape at the qb position. Besides that, where's Maddox going to sell insurance and make the kind of money an NFL qb makes? Just hold the clipboard Tommy and milk the situation as long as possible, try to make up for all those lost years that you missed.